FWC reminds divers about flags

With spiny lobster mini-season just a few days away, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds boaters and divers to practice safe boating and diving habits by maintaining 360-degree awareness and adhering to all divers-down flag regulations.

Diver-down flags and buoys are crucial warning devices used by divers and dive vessels to signal the presence of divers in the water. These devices must feature a diver-down symbol — a red rectangle or square with a white diagonal stripe — and must be prominently displayed whenever divers are wholly or partially submerged and using a face mask, snorkel or underwater breathing apparatus.

“When navigating near a diver-down flag, boaters must operate at idle speed within 300 feet in open water or within 100 feet on rivers, inlets or navigational channels,” said Maj. Bill Holcomb, FWC Boating and Waterways Section Leader. “And divers need to stay within 300 feet of their properly displayed flags on open water and 100 feet on rivers, inlets or navigational channels.”

Spiny lobster sport mini-season starts at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, and ends and 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July 25.

The diver-down symbol must measure at least 12-by-12 inches when displayed from the water, and at least 20-by-24 inches when displayed from a vessel, positioned at the highest point to maximize visibility. Flags must be constructed to remain fully unfurled, even in calm conditions, while buoys must display the symbol on each of their flat sides.

“In the summertime, there is a lot going on out there and these regulations are important for divers to remember whether they are diving for scallops in north Florida, lobster in south Florida or recreationally throughout the state,” said Col. Brian Smith, Director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement. “Vessel operators should be aware of what is going on around them at all times and be on the lookout for divers-down flags nearby. It’s also good to remember to take the dive flag down and wear a life jacket while underway. This is not just responsible boating and ensuring the safety of divers and the boating public — it’s also the law.”

Every year, the FWC responds to incidents where a diver was struck, injured or killed by a vessel. Working together, vessel operators and divers can each play a part in preventing tragedy on the water this summer.

The FWC’s warning comes roughly two weeks after a spearfisherman was killed after being struck by a boat off of Marathon.

On July 5, a Hialeah man was struck and killed by a boat while spearfishing off of the Marathon. The diver has been identified as Israel Boza, 55, of Hialeah, according to FWC Capt. Dave Dipre.

The FWC has located the owner/operator of the vessel, which is “believed” to be involved in the fatal accident, according to Dipre. The vessel and the owner/operator were located on Key Colony Beach, Dipre said.

The FWC is investigating the accident and no one charges have been file. Investigators are investigating whether the diver’s dive flag was properly displayed and visible, according to investigators.

For information, visit MyFWC.com/boating, click on “Boating Regulations,” and select “Divers-down Warning Devices.”

Boating violations may be reported anonymously to the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or text 847411 (Tip411) with keyword “FWC” and information about the location and violation.

The FWC will also bring in roughly 20 extra officers for the two-day spiny lobster sport season and for the start of regular season in Aug. 6, Dipre said.

Monroe County and local municipalities have their own rules regarding shoreline lobster diving that will be enforced. For example, night diving is not permitted in the Keys during sport season days.

Most rules in the Keys, especially bag limits, differ from the remainder of Florida. Bag limits in the Keys are six lobsters per person per day. All “keepers” must be larger than 3 inches on the carapace and be measured in the water.

The FWC will also set up its lobster mini-season information booth off of U.S. 1 in Key Largo this week, Dipre said.

Keys lobster-catching regulations for the sport season days and regular lobster season can be found at KeysLobsterSeason.com. The dedicated website features videos highlighting dive and boating safety tips, and up-to-date rules and regulations for lobster harvesting within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Law enforcement agencies work together to strictly enforce lobster harvest and boating safety regulations. Divers should be in good physical health and, before embarking on their lobster excursion, ensure they are current with their dive certification and verify that their dive equipment and boating gear are all in good working order.

Regular lobster season begins at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, and continues through March 31.

For Keys lobster season information, visit KeysLobsterSeason.com.